Q&A About Nintendo's CSR: Environmental Initiatives | CSR Information

Environmental Initiatives

What is Nintendo's view on the environment?

In order to “put smiles on the faces of everyone Nintendo touches,” we feel that it is important to strive to protect the global environment and to pass on a healthier planet to future generations.

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Please explain Nintendo’s compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Nintendo complies with laws and regulations such as the following regarding our gaming systems and accessories.

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive (E.U.)
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation (E.U.)
ErP (Energy-related Products) Directive (E.U.)
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products (U.S.)

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What recycling measures is Nintendo taking in each region?

Nintendo considers it important to promote the recycling of end-of-life products and packaging, and takes appropriate measures based on the laws and regulations of each region.

In Japan:

Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Japan) complies with the Law for Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging. To help consumers properly dispose of and recycle waste in accordance with this law, applicable containers and packaging clearly display identification marks to promote waste separation.

In the U.S. and Canada:

Nintendo of America refers consumers to local recycling programs and organizations and offers a free Take Back Program for consumers to send used products to us for recycling.

In Europe:

Nintendo of Europe and other European subsidiaries participate in national recycling systems to facilitate the proper collection and recycling of end-of-life products and packaging, pursuant to the WEEE Directive, the Battery Directive, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, and other related local laws and regulations. Nintendo of Europe also participates in the Green Dot program^* in certain EU countries pursuant to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, displaying the Green Dot symbol on product packaging.

* Green Dot program: A program started in Germany to promote the recycling of product packaging. Companies participating in this program are required to display the Green Dot symbol on product packaging.

In Australia:

Nintendo Australia is a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation and complies with the principles of this industry/government agreement. In addition, since early 2013, Nintendo Australia has offered the Take Back program for consumers to send or drop off used products to Nintendo for recycling.

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What other kinds of environmental measures are taken by overseas subsidiaries?

Our overseas subsidiaries engage in various initiatives, including those below. Please see this page for additional information.

	Products	Offices
Nintendo of America	Pursuing partnerships with freight carriers that are certified through the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program, which promotes environmentally conscious logistics Replaced diesel yard trucks with an EV option to reduce CO₂ emissions Close to 100% of consumer product returns and parts replaced during repairs are recycled Offers a Take Back Program for older products, rechargeable batteries, etc.	Headquarters building was awarded the LEED^* Gold Rating Participates in a program offered by a local energy provider to reduce energy consumption in building operations In addition, introduction of other business initiatives to promote the use of environmentally conscious materials is under consideration * LEED A system that comprehensively evaluates the environmental quality of a building's design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
Nintendo of Europe	Reduces CO₂ emissions by using rail as the main mode of inbound container transportation from the import harbor and by loading trucks to full capacity for efficient outbound shipping to retail partners Contracts with qualified suppliers to offset CO₂ emissions resulting from the manufacturing of printed items (such as boxes and artbooks) in certain bundles Sources locally for warehouse packaging and printing of special edition bundles to ensure short transportation for deliveries and flexibility Uses recyclable plastic which contains 50% sugarcane-based biomass plastic for the shrink foil of packaging materials for certain software packaged with exclusive items Changed the European sourcing of all shipping cardboard to more sustainable material which is FSC-certified In Germany, makes use of shipping carriers that offer certified carbon neutral services, providing carbon neutral delivery for consumer after-sales repairs and product deliveries to retailers In the Netherlands and Belgium, reduced packaging for returning repaired products to consumers, cutting paper waste and further optimizing space used in transportation	All electricity used in Nintendo of Europe (Germany)’s offices is derived from renewable energy sources Each floor at the Nintendo of Europe (Germany) building is equipped with a recycling corner for sorting recyclables At Nintendo of Europe (Germany), paper purchased for printing and copying is FSC-certified, indicating it is produced using responsibly managed forests Restrooms at Nintendo of Europe (Germany) use toilet paper and paper towels with Blue Angel certification (a German eco-label) At Nintendo of Europe (Germany), changed supply of drinking water from water coolers to water dispensers which are connected directly to the water line, eliminating the need to transport water bottles by truck
Nintendo Australia	Uses both recycled and sustainably sourced materials and environmentally friendly vegetable-based inks for paper title sheets included with game software and in packaging for hardware bundles	Installed solar films on external windows that improve heating and cooling efficiency Makes use of lighting options that turn off when areas are not occupied Provides recycling bins and promotes recycling to all employees

Products

Offices

Nintendo of America

Pursuing partnerships with freight carriers that are certified through the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program, which promotes environmentally conscious logistics
Replaced diesel yard trucks with an EV option to reduce CO₂ emissions
Close to 100% of consumer product returns and parts replaced during repairs are recycled
Offers a Take Back Program for older products, rechargeable batteries, etc.

Headquarters building was awarded the LEED^* Gold Rating
Participates in a program offered by a local energy provider to reduce energy consumption in building operations
In addition, introduction of other business initiatives to promote the use of environmentally conscious materials is under consideration

* LEED: A system that comprehensively evaluates the environmental quality of a building's design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

Nintendo of Europe

Reduces CO₂ emissions by using rail as the main mode of inbound container transportation from the import harbor and by loading trucks to full capacity for efficient outbound shipping to retail partners
Contracts with qualified suppliers to offset CO₂ emissions resulting from the manufacturing of printed items (such as boxes and artbooks) in certain bundles
Sources locally for warehouse packaging and printing of special edition bundles to ensure short transportation for deliveries and flexibility
Uses recyclable plastic which contains 50% sugarcane-based biomass plastic for the shrink foil of packaging materials for certain software packaged with exclusive items
Changed the European sourcing of all shipping cardboard to more sustainable material which is FSC-certified
In Germany, makes use of shipping carriers that offer certified carbon neutral services, providing carbon neutral delivery for consumer after-sales repairs and product deliveries to retailers
In the Netherlands and Belgium, reduced packaging for returning repaired products to consumers, cutting paper waste and further optimizing space used in transportation

All electricity used in Nintendo of Europe (Germany)’s offices is derived from renewable energy sources
Each floor at the Nintendo of Europe (Germany) building is equipped with a recycling corner for sorting recyclables
At Nintendo of Europe (Germany), paper purchased for printing and copying is FSC-certified, indicating it is produced using responsibly managed forests
Restrooms at Nintendo of Europe (Germany) use toilet paper and paper towels with Blue Angel certification (a German eco-label)
At Nintendo of Europe (Germany), changed supply of drinking water from water coolers to water dispensers which are connected directly to the water line, eliminating the need to transport water bottles by truck

Nintendo Australia

Uses both recycled and sustainably sourced materials and environmentally friendly vegetable-based inks for paper title sheets included with game software and in packaging for hardware bundles

Installed solar films on external windows that improve heating and cooling efficiency
Makes use of lighting options that turn off when areas are not occupied
Provides recycling bins and promotes recycling to all employees

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